Wonderful Wild Rice, Ham And Cheese Soup
A hearty, creamy soup blending wild rice, ham, and cheese with tender vegetables, perfect for comforting lunches or cozy dinners for family and friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Saute minced onion until tender.
- Gradually blend in flour.
- Add chicken broth.
- Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly.
- Stir in cooked wild rice and salt.
- Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend in half and half.
- Add grated carrots, chopped ham, grated Cheddar cheese.
- Heat to serving temperature and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine while cooking the onions. If you don't have wild rice, brown rice can be used as a substitute, though the texture will differ. Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more or less half and half to achieve your preferred consistency. This dish can also be enhanced with herbs like thyme or parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a light salad for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of Cheesy-Chicken Ball for an appetizer or a light dessert. You can also garnish with fresh parsley or additional cheese for an appealing presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently. If the soup thickens too much upon refrigeration, add a bit of chicken broth or water while reheating to return it to your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wonderful Wild Rice, Ham And Cheese Soup contains roughly 1394 calories, with 47g protein, 124g carbohydrates, and 87g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (154% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (112% of the Daily Value), and protein (95% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1608mg per serving (70% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use uncooked wild rice instead of cooked?
Using uncooked wild rice will require additional cooking time and liquid. You'll want to cook the wild rice separately according to package instructions before adding it to the soup, as it typically takes longer to prepare than the soup itself.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can make this soup vegetarian by omitting the ham and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add more vegetables, such as mushrooms or peas, to enhance the flavor and nutrition of the soup.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add heat to your soup, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper during the cooking process. You can also serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer to spice it up according to their taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).